Hobcarton Crag

The walk up Hobcarton Crag takes you straight from the quiet lanes above Cockermouth into proper fell country, and it's surprisingly steep for what looks like a modest bump on the map. The crag itself isn't a dramatic peak - more a rocky outcrop than a summit - but the views across to the Lake District proper make the climb entirely worthwhile. On a clear day you get the Skiddaw range spread out to the south, and behind you the Solway Firth opens up towards Scotland.

It's the sort of place fell walkers love because it doesn't require three hours of bog and scrambling. You can do the return trip in an afternoon, which makes it ideal if you're based at one of the nearby campsites around Keswick or Castlerigg and want something less serious than the big peaks. Families with older kids manage it fine, though younger ones might find the steep bits frustrating. The path is rough in places and can be slippery when wet, so proper boots are essential, not trainers.

Go early morning if you can - the light's better and you'll have the fell mostly to yourself. Summer weekends attract a steady trickle of hikers, but it never gets rammed like the popular Catbells route. The nearest town is Cockermouth, which has decent pubs and shops for stocking up before you head out. If you're camping at Whinfell Hall or Keswick Camping Club, this makes a natural half-day adventure that leaves you evening time to relax.